FA Cup. 1st Round

Forest make the short trip to neighbours Lincoln City in the 1st round proper of the FA Cup. The League 2 side sit rooted to the bottom of the Football League and without a win in 13 games. Last weekend they fell victim to a Jack Lester hat trick in the 4-2 defeat at home to Chesterfield.

Forest loanee Hamza Bencherif will not play as per his loan agreement with the club. Just as well, because he was on the score sheet in the game with the Spireites as well.

The contrast in fortunes between the two sides could hardly be greater. The Imps as well as being bottom, and not winning in 13 games, they have just appointed former Hudds boss Peter Jackson as manager. He at least should give them some stability. Forest sit in 2nd place and have won the last two League games. The Reds will go in to the game boosted with the performance in the 4-1 demolition of Southend on Tuesday night.

Whether CC puts out a weakened team is unsure, but the Reds will want to progress to the money spinning 3rd round at least, as last years Cup run brought in over half a million in additional revenue for the club.

Defender Lee Beavers will miss the game with a dislocated shoulder. The Imps will wait and see with the fitness of Forrester. As said, Bencherif will not play.

At 33 he's no spring chicken, but he is a decent lower league striker. 18 goals last season is testament to that. In 9 appearances this term, he's scored 2.

Forest have no fresh injury worries, but Neil Lennon is back in contention after his recent absence.

8 goals in 15 appearances sees the Ghana international in a rich vein of form. His 2 goals on Tuesday were the icing on the cake for what is turning out to be his best spell since joining the club from Bristol Rovers last year.

The first time the two sides met was back in 1907, when the Reds won 2-1 away. Since then there have been 27 meetings. Forest have won 13, drawn 9 and lost 5.

FL1. Crewe (h). Sat, November 24, 2007. 3pm

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